The top five most memorable moments of localist celebrity Nakade Hitsujiko

Hong Kong independence advocate Nakade Hitsujiko – whose surname is slang for ejaculating “inside” in Japanese – has emerged as an unlikely internet celebrity after two failed bids for public office in the past year.

Originally named Chung Ming-lun, the 24-year-old IT specialist legally changed his name to Nakade last year. He initially became known among Hong Kong’s online community for his activism concerning the Tiananmen Square Massacre. For a time, he was also a member of pro-democracy political party People Power. Later, he became associated with Lingnan University professor Chin Wan, who is considered as a pioneer of the localism movement.

To most people, however, Nakade is the “joke candidate” of the localism movement. His unconventional appearance, outlandish proposals and constant stream of bondage and pornography-related public Facebook posts have earned him a considerable following in Hong Kong. Here are the top five most memorable moments of his nascent political career.

5. His speech at the August 2016 independence rally

A veteran of two electoral campaigns, Nakade is no stranger to the microphone and an audience. However, as one of six pro-independence candidates who were disqualified from the upcoming Legislative Council elections, he was given the unprecedented opportunity to speak in front of thousands at a rally held by the Hong Kong National Party in Tamar Park last Friday evening.

Photo: InMedia.

Although not a fluent orator, he rallied supporters in a speech full of witty criticisms, comedic moments and gaffes. Dressed in plain white royal garments, he reiterated his campaign promise to lead 500 Hong Kong foot-soldiers to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and drink Tsingtao beer with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He also unveiled his diplomatic strategy: “to defend Hong Kong,” he said, “we need to hook up with foreign forces,” as he unveiled a pirate’s hook from his pocket.

“A lot of people ask me if I am insane. ‘No,’ I tell them, ‘I’m only doing the most normal thing in insane times.’”

4. His November 2015 arrest for alleged money laundering

Nakade is also no stranger to the interior of police vans. He was arrested in 2012 after allegedly performing a cyberattack against a government website, and again during the Umbrella Movement when police allegedly discovered wooden shields and modified air guns in a Tai Kok Tsui apartment. However, his arrest on charges of alleged money laundering in 2015 came as a surprise to many.

Photo: Apple Daily.

A mere three days after the November District Council elections, Nakade was taken away by police. Responding to queries from Stand News, the police said that a mainland Chinese company had received a suspicious email asking the firm to transfer money to two bank accounts. The firm transferred HK$2.17 million before reporting the matter to the authorities, and a police investigation showed that Nakade owned one of the accounts. The police also seized a computer from his apartment.

Internet users expressed scepticism over the timing of Nakade’s arrest. The Chinese company had reported the matter to the police in January, and another man had already been arrested in connection with the case. Nakade was released on bail after one night, and there have seemingly been no reports of further developments since.

3. His ‘local sexy ladies’ at the 2015 District Council elections

What better way to evict the groups of “Chinese singing aunties” on Mong Kok’s Sai Yeung Choi Street, than by mobilising Hong Kong’s “local sexy ladies”? This plan was part of Nakade’s campaign platform as he ran for election in the Cherry constituency of the Yau Tsim Mong District Council last year.

Photo: SocRec.

Sai Yeung Choi Street South is a pedestrian zone open to street performances on weekends. Controversially, performers include the “singing aunties:” groups of middle-aged females dancing to Communist songs, more commonly seen in mainland Chinese cities. Nakade accused them of “shamelessly seducing local uncles with bad taste,” and “creating unforgettable psychological trauma for foreign tourists.”

In the lead-up to the November District Council elections, Nakade provided voters with a glimpse of how he planned to counter the “singing aunties”. Several bikini-clad ladies flanked him as he campaigned around Mong Kok, handing out election flyers and attracting crowds. But in the end, Nakade received only 172 votes.

2. His royal titles

Nakade dresses in ancient royal garments because he is “Princess Chiu Ming, a member of the Hong Kong city-state royal family”. This title was conferred upon him by professor Chin Wan – who is known among internet users as the “high priest” of Hong Kong – in December 2013.

Photo: VJMedia.

Nakade’s platform is different from that of other pro-independence activists, in that he advocates for Hong Kong becoming a monarchy. According to his election manifesto, the palace would be built on Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong’s highest peak.

As “Princess Chiu Ming,” he has adopted a pseudo-religious tone of speech, calling on supporters of Hong Kong’s reunification with China to repent. “The sea is endless, but if you turn around, you will find land. Put down your butcher’s knives, and become Buddha.”

“I am a member of the Hong Kong city-state royal family. The honour of my subjects will be my own personal honour!” he declared last Friday at Tamar Park.

1. His response to the returning officer’s query

In an unprecedented development, candidates for the 2016 Legislative Council elections were asked to sign a declaration stating that they would uphold the Basic Law and pledge allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). Some candidates received further queries from their returning officer on whether they would “continue to support Hong Kong independence,” including Nakade. He responded as follows:

Photo: Wikicommons/Bill Anders.

“I have never specified in my various proclamations that ‘Hong Kong’ refers to the ‘Hong Kong SAR’… ‘Hong Kong independence’ refers to the [independence of] the geographical area located between the latitude coordinates 22° 08’ and 35’, and the longitude coordinates 113° 49’ and 114° 13’. This area has no clear boundaries, but is commonly known as ‘Hong Kong’.”

“[Beijing] can cite Chang-E’s flight to the moon as proof that the moon has historically been an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China. It can shoot the ‘Hong Kong SAR’ onto the moon… thereby creating a political vacuum in the geographical area commonly known as ‘Hong Kong’… then, a state can be established.”

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